While this one was originally written for preparation for a holiday, I am bringing it up for a different reason today. Gordo's post worrying about a specific get together. Generally, the things we are most worried about won't be that big of a problem. We are prepared for the time to be bad. If it is bad--you are ready for it. If it is not bad, you will be relieved and pleasantly surprised.
Actually, when you need to be prepared is when you leave the event you are worried about. That is when you can get to your car, take nice deep breath, think how great it is you got through the occasion and then all of a sudden get hit with the thought of how much you deserve a cigarette for what you just lived through. The trick at that time still is to keep focused that a puff translates to a relapse. A relapse can kill you, so, forget the puff!
Keep your guard up at all times, when you expect it to be bad, when you expect it to be easy, when you don't expect anything--just keep reminding yourself that your goal is to never take another puff!
Joel